US20120083174A1 - Water jet based underwater thruster - Google Patents
Water jet based underwater thruster Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20120083174A1 US20120083174A1 US13/200,716 US201113200716A US2012083174A1 US 20120083174 A1 US20120083174 A1 US 20120083174A1 US 201113200716 A US201113200716 A US 201113200716A US 2012083174 A1 US2012083174 A1 US 2012083174A1
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- pressure
- cavity
- magnet
- diaphragm
- outlet
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- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 title claims abstract description 52
- 238000005192 partition Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 9
- 230000000903 blocking effect Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000002352 surface water Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000002411 adverse Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005266 casting Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000003754 machining Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003381 stabilizer Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63H—MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING
- B63H11/00—Marine propulsion by water jets
- B63H11/02—Marine propulsion by water jets the propulsive medium being ambient water
- B63H11/04—Marine propulsion by water jets the propulsive medium being ambient water by means of pumps
- B63H11/08—Marine propulsion by water jets the propulsive medium being ambient water by means of pumps of rotary type
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63H—MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING
- B63H11/00—Marine propulsion by water jets
- B63H11/02—Marine propulsion by water jets the propulsive medium being ambient water
- B63H11/04—Marine propulsion by water jets the propulsive medium being ambient water by means of pumps
- B63H11/08—Marine propulsion by water jets the propulsive medium being ambient water by means of pumps of rotary type
- B63H2011/081—Marine propulsion by water jets the propulsive medium being ambient water by means of pumps of rotary type with axial flow, i.e. the axis of rotation being parallel to the flow direction
Definitions
- This invention pertains to water jet propulsion systems, and more particularly it pertains to water jet propulsion system having selectively operable thrusters and steering nozzles.
- valve systems described in the above-mentioned documents have multiple outlet ports that are controlled by mechanical actuators. These systems also comprise a pump and a valve cluster that are located inside the boat. The nozzles extend at a shallow depth under the boat where water pressure at the nozzles is negligible. These systems are designed for above-water operation, basically.
- U.S. Pat. No. 7,124,698 issued to Y. T. Shen et al. on Oct. 24, 2006; describes a maneuvering system for a submarine.
- a pump draws water from one end of a tube and forces this water to an outlet at the other end of the tube.
- the outlet is oriented in such a way to steer the water craft.
- the system is controlled by gate valves operated by mechanical actuators.
- the pump and the valve actuators need to be sealed from deep water pressure to prevent damage.
- a thruster pod that is made of a pump plate; a valve plate affixed to the pump plate, and a diaphragm mounted between the pump plate and the valve plate.
- the pump plate has juxtaposed pressure cavity and outlet cavity, and a partition separating the pressure cavity from the outlet cavity.
- the pressure cavity communicates with a source of water under pressure and the outlet cavity communicates with an outlet port for projecting a jet of water under pressure outside the pump plate.
- the valve plate has a control chamber facing the juxtaposed pressure and outlet cavities.
- the diaphragm is mounted between the juxtaposed pressure and outlet cavities and the control chamber for movement between a first position and a second position upon a change in pressure in the control chamber.
- the first position blocking the juxtaposed pressure and outlet cavities, and the second position opening the juxtaposed pressure and outlet cavities for allowing a flow of water under pressure under the partition from the pressure cavity to the outlet cavity and to the outlet port.
- a control valve is mounted in the valve plate for changing a pressure in the control chamber.
- the control valve has a connection to the pressure cavity; to the control chamber and to ambient water pressure.
- the control valve is selectively operable between a first condition for connecting the pressure cavity to the control chamber for pushing the diaphragm against the pressure and outlet cavities, and a second condition for connecting the control chamber to ambient water pressure for allowing the diaphragm to relax, for allowing a flow of water under pressure between the pressure cavity and the outlet cavity.
- control valve has a cylindrical cavity; a first magnet mounted in a fixed manner in this cylindrical cavity and a second magnet movably mounted in the cylindrical cavity.
- the second magnet is movable between a first location in a proximity of the first magnet and a second location away from the first magnet.
- the first and second magnets are mounted to attract each other.
- the control valve has a passage there through to the aforesaid control chamber between the first and second magnets.
- the passage is selectively openable to the source of water under pressure when the second magnet is in the first location, and closed to the source of water under pressure and open to ambient water pressure when the second magnet is in the second location, connecting the control chamber to ambient water pressure.
- the control valve also has a solenoid that is operable for selectively moving the second magnet between the first and second locations.
- a combination of a pressure cavity, an outlet cavity, a control chamber, a control valve and a segment of the diaphragm constitutes one diaphragm valve.
- the thruster pod has a plurality of diaphragm valves therein that are selectively operable to operate corresponding outlet ports.
- the pump plate is circular and has four diaphragm valves and outlet ports oriented radially there about.
- a diaphragm support plate between the diaphragm and the pump plate to protect the diaphragm from excessive pump pressure.
- the source of water under pressure is obtained by a pump impeller mounted in the pump plate.
- FIG. 1 illustrates a torpedo having the thruster pod according to the first preferred embodiment mounted on the front end thereof;
- FIG. 2 illustrates another torpedo wherein the flow from one outlet nozzle in used as a source of fluid under pressure to operate a linear actuator
- FIG. 3 is a plan view of the pump and pump plate in the first preferred thruster pod
- FIG. 4 is a plan view of the diaphragm support plate that is preferably mounted in the first preferred thruster pod;
- FIG. 5 is a plan view of the diaphragm mounted in the first preferred thruster pod
- FIG. 6 is a plan view of the valve plate mounted in the first preferred thruster pod
- FIG. 7 is a partial enlarged plan view of the pump and pump plate illustrated in FIG. 3 ;
- FIG. 8 is a partial enlarged plan view of the valve plate illustrated in FIG. 6 ;
- FIG. 9 is a cross-section view of the pump and pump plate as viewed substantially along lines 9 - 9 in FIGS. 7 and 8 , showing one of the diaphragm valves in a closed mode;
- FIG. 10 is another cross-section view of the pump and pump plate as viewed substantially along lines 9 - 9 in FIGS. 7 and 8 , showing one of the diaphragm valves in an open mode;
- FIG. 11 is a plan view of the pump and pump plate in the second preferred thruster pod
- FIG. 12 is a plan view of the diaphragm support plate that is preferably mounted in the second preferred thruster pod;
- FIG. 13 is a plan view of the diaphragm mounted in the second preferred thruster pod
- FIG. 14 is a plan view of the valve plate mounted in the second preferred thruster pod
- FIG. 15 is a partial enlarged plan view of the pump and pump plate illustrated in FIG. 11 ;
- FIG. 16 is a partial enlarged plan view of the valve plate illustrated in FIG. 14 ;
- FIG. 17 is a cross-section view of the pump and pump plate as viewed substantially along lines 17 - 17 in FIGS. 15 and 16 , showing one of the diaphragm valves in a closed mode;
- FIG. 18 is another cross-section view of the pump and pump plate as viewed substantially along lines 17 - 17 in FIGS. 15 and 16 , showing one of the diaphragm valves in an open mode.
- FIG. 1 there is illustrated a torpedo 20 having the thruster pod 22 according to the first preferred embodiment mounted in its front end, and a nose cone 24 directing water to an impeller mounted inside the thruster pod 22 .
- the thruster pod 22 may be operated in a wireless manner such that it can be used in remotely operated vehicles (ROV) of many types.
- This wireless system may comprise an antenna 26 , which is illustrated for convenience. It will be appreciated that an antenna 26 may be used for surface application, and can be replaced by a tether line (not shown) when the thruster pod 22 is used in underwater vehicles.
- ROV remotely operated vehicles
- the impeller (not shown) is operated by an electric motor 30 mounted in the front end of the torpedo.
- the electric motor 30 is illustrated in dashed lines for convenience in FIG. 1 .
- the thruster pod 22 has several jet ports 32 around its circumference. Some of these jet ports 32 have nozzles 34 that are curved and oriented backward for propelling the torpedo in the forward direction. The other jet ports 32 are oriented radially and can be used intermittently for steering the water craft.
- one or more jet ports 32 can be used as a source of hydraulic pressure connected by piping 36 to hydraulic equipment or tooling. Such feature is explained in the illustration of a stabilizer fin 38 that is operated by an hydraulic cylinder 40 .
- the first preferred thruster pod 22 and its operation are illustrated in FIGS. 3-10 .
- the thruster pod 22 is made of a pump impeller 50 mounted at the centre of a pump plate 52 ; a diaphragm 54 and a valve plate 56 .
- a diaphragm support plate 58 is also included between the pump plate 52 and the diaphragm 54 for preventing wear, fatigue and damage to the diaphragm 54 from pump pressure.
- the first preferred thruster pod 22 has eight (8) outlet ports 60 , jet nozzles or jet ports. Each nozzle is connected to an outlet cavity 62 in the pump plate 52 . Each outlet cavity 62 is bordering a pressure cavity 64 , and it is separated from that pressure cavity 64 by a partition 66 . The pressure cavity 64 communicates with the impeller housing 68 or a volute in which the impeller 50 rotates.
- the diaphragm support plate 58 has side-by-side pressure opening 70 and outlet opening 72 pairs for each pressure and outlet cavity pair in the pump plate 52 .
- the pressure opening 70 is fully open, while the outlet opening 72 has grate-like openings for preventing damage to the diaphragm 54 from pump pressure.
- the pump plate 52 , the diaphragm support plate 58 and the valve plate 56 can be made of metal or plastic material in a casting or a CNC machining process.
- the diaphragm 54 is made of thin, strong, flexible and impermeable diaphragm material.
- a hole 74 at the centre of the diaphragm 54 lets pressure from the pump housing 68 be transmitted to the valve plate 56 , for the purpose of transmitting control pressure to the valve plate 56 .
- valve plate as a central cavity 80 communicating with the hole 74 at the centre of the diaphragm 54 and with the pump housing 68 .
- Eight radial slots 82 join the central cavity 80 to eight control valves 84 respectively.
- Each control valve 84 is connected by conduits 86 to a respective control chamber 88 .
- the valve plate 56 has a radial slot 82 ; a control valve 84 ; conduits 86 and a control chamber 88 for each pressure and outlet cavity pair 62 , 64 in the pump plate 52 , and for each diaphragm valve in the thruster pod 22 .
- the pump plate 52 ; the diaphragm support plate 58 , the diaphragm 54 and the valve plate 56 are stacked over each other in the order in which they are illustrated, and fastened to each other in any suitable way.
- the views illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 6 are the faces of each plate 52 , 56 . In use these faces are mounted against each other.
- a pump impeller 50 has been illustrated in FIG. 3 , it will be appreciated that all that is required in the pump plate 52 is a source of water under pressure. Therefore, a pump may be located somewhere else than illustrated and connected to the pump housing 68 by piping for example.
- each control valve 84 contains a fixed magnet 90 that is mounted stationary to the top portion of a cylindrical cavity 92 as seen in FIGS. 9 and 10 .
- a second magnet 94 referred to as a movable magnet is movably mounted in the cylindrical cavity 92 under the fixed magnet 90 .
- the slot 82 communicates with the cylindrical cavity 92 in a region immediately under the fixed magnet 90 , when both magnets 90 , 94 are separated from each other, as may be appreciated from the illustration in FIG. 9 .
- both magnets 90 , 94 are separated, the pressure from the pump housing 68 is transmitted through the slot 82 ; into the cylindrical cavity 92 and into the control chamber 88 via the conduit 86 .
- a drain hole 96 in the bottom of the cylindrical cavity 92 allows ambient pressure to enter the valve cavity 92 , and into the control chamber 88 via the conduit 86 as it may be understood when looking at FIG. 10 .
- the magnets 90 , 94 are mounted to attract each other. Therefore, when there is no outside influence, both magnets 90 , 94 are held against each other as shown in FIG. 10 , such that the movable magnet 94 closes the passage from the slot 82 to the control chamber 88 .
- the pressure in the control chamber 88 is thereby reduced to the ambient water pressure Wp through the drain hole 96 .
- the pump pressure Pp in the pressure cavity 64 forces the diaphragm 54 downward to create a passage under the partition 66 and to open the pressure cavity 64 to the outlet cavity 62 and to a corresponding outlet port 60 . A flow of water under pressure is thereby obtained at the outlet port 60 .
- the control chamber 88 is pressurized to pump pressure Pp from the pressure cavity 64 through the slot 82 .
- the diaphragm 54 is pushed upward to block the openings 70 and 72 and to shut off the flow to the corresponding outlet port 60 .
- the pump pressure Pp always included ambient water pressure Wp when the thruster pod 22 is used underwater. Therefore, the diaphragm valves are operated on a differential pressure which remains the same whether the thruster pod 22 is operated in surface water or in deep water. External pressure does not affect the operation of the thruster pod 22 .
- the movable magnet 94 can be displaced without touching it such that sealing of an actuator from deep sea pressure is not required.
- the positioning of the movable magnet 94 may be effected by a solenoid 98 as shown, or by a stronger magnet (not shown) that is moved in and out of a proximity of the control valve 84 by a servo motor for example.
- the second preferred thruster pod 122 and its operation are illustrated in FIGS. 11-18 .
- the thruster pod 122 in the second preferred embodiment is made of a pump impeller 150 mounted at the centre of a pump plate 152 ; a diaphragm 154 and a valve plate 156 .
- a diaphragm support plate 158 is also preferably included between the pump plate 152 and the diaphragm 154 , for preventing wear, fatigue and damage to the diaphragm 154 from pump pressure.
- the second preferred thruster pod 122 has four (4) outlet ports 160 or jet nozzles. Each nozzle 160 is connected to an outlet cavity 162 . Each outlet cavity 162 is bordering a pressure cavity 164 , and it is separated from that pressure cavity 164 by a partition 166 . The pressure cavity 164 communicates with the impeller housing 168 or a volute in which the impeller 150 rotates.
- the diaphragm support plate 158 has side-by-side pressure opening 170 and outlet opening 172 pairs corresponding to the location of each pressure and outlet cavity pair 162 , 164 in the pump plate 152 .
- the pressure opening 170 is fully open while the outlet opening 172 has a grate-like openings for preventing damage to the diaphragm 154 from pump pressure.
- the pump plate 152 , the diaphragm support plate 158 and the valve plate 156 are made in a same way as explained in the thruster of the first preferred embodiment.
- the diaphragm 154 is made of thin, strong, flexible and impermeable diaphragm material.
- a hole 174 at the centre of the diaphragm 154 lets pressure from the pump housing 168 be transmitted to the valve plate 156 , for the purpose of transmitting control pressure to the valve plate 156 .
- valve plate as a central cavity 180 communicating with the hole 174 at the centre of the diaphragm 154 and with the pump housing 168 .
- Four radial slots 182 join the central cavity 180 to four control valves 200 respectively.
- Each control valve 200 is connected by a conduit 186 to a respective pressure control chamber 188 .
- the valve plate 156 has a radial slot 182 ; a valve 200 ; conduits 186 and a pressure control chamber 188 for each pressure and outlet pair 162 , 164 in the pump plate 152 and for each diaphragm valve in the thruster pod 122 .
- the pump plate 152 In use, the pump plate 152 ; the diaphragm support plate 158 , the diaphragm 154 and the valve plate 156 are stacked over each other in the order in which they are illustrated, and fastened to each other in any suitable way.
- the views illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 14 are the faces of each plate 152 , 156 . In use these faces are mounted against each other.
- each control valve 200 contains a fixed magnet 210 that is mounted in a stationary manner to the top portion of a cylindrical cavity 212 , as seen in FIGS. 17 and 18 .
- a second magnet 214 referred to as a movable magnet, is movably mounted in the cylindrical cavity 212 under the fixed magnet 210 .
- the slot 182 communicates with the cylindrical cavity 212 in a region immediately under the fixed magnet 210 , and with the pressure control chamber 188 , through the slot 186 as may be appreciated from the illustrations in FIGS. 17 , and 18 .
- a calibrated orifice 220 between the fixed and the movable magnets 210 , 214 communicates with a drain channel 222 when the movable magnet 214 is moved away from the fixed magnet 210 .
- the pump pressure in the conduit 182 is released to this drain channel 222 , thereby reducing the pressure inside the control chamber 188 .
- the diaphragm 154 is forced to open to allow a flow F under the partition 166 from the pressure cavity 164 to the outlet cavity 162 and the outlet port 160 as indicated in FIG. 18 .
- the orifice 220 is calibrated to release only sufficient pressure to allow the operation of the control valve 200 , without adversely affecting the operation or the performance of other diaphragm valves in the thruster pod 122 .
- the control valve 200 also works on a differential pressure between the pump pressure Pp and the ambient or water pressure Wp. It will be appreciated that this pressure differential remains the same whether the thruster pod 122 is operated in surface water or in deep water. External pressure does not affect the operation of the thruster pod 122 .
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- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
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- Reciprocating Pumps (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- This invention pertains to water jet propulsion systems, and more particularly it pertains to water jet propulsion system having selectively operable thrusters and steering nozzles.
- In order to characterize the present invention over the prior art, reference is made to existing valves on water jet propulsion systems that are used for steering and positioning a water craft:
- U.S. Pat. No. 3,132,477 issued to J. C. Egger on May 12, 1964;
U.S. Pat. No. 3,176,648 issued to M. Cavero on Apr. 6, 1965;
U.S. Pat. No. 3,492,965 issued to D. J. Wayfield on Feb. 3, 1970;
U.S. Pat. No. 3,675,611 issued to J. P. Glass on Jul. 11, 1972;
U.S. Pat. No. 4,265,192 issued to G. L, Dunn on May 5, 1981;
U.S. Pat. No. 5,014,912 issued to D. A. Brooks on May 14, 1991;
U.S. Pat. No. 5,129,846 issued to B. A. Dimijian on Jul. 14, 1992. - The valve systems described in the above-mentioned documents have multiple outlet ports that are controlled by mechanical actuators. These systems also comprise a pump and a valve cluster that are located inside the boat. The nozzles extend at a shallow depth under the boat where water pressure at the nozzles is negligible. These systems are designed for above-water operation, basically.
- U.S. Pat. No. 7,124,698 issued to Y. T. Shen et al. on Oct. 24, 2006; describes a maneuvering system for a submarine. A pump draws water from one end of a tube and forces this water to an outlet at the other end of the tube. The outlet is oriented in such a way to steer the water craft. The system is controlled by gate valves operated by mechanical actuators. The pump and the valve actuators need to be sealed from deep water pressure to prevent damage.
- Although the systems of the prior art deserve undeniable merits, it is believed that there is a need in the marine industry for an underwater thruster and guidance system that is easy to manufacture and that is more appropriate for use in remotely operated vehicles in deep sea applications.
- In the present invention, however, there is provided a thruster pod that is insensitive to deep sea pressures.
- In a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a thruster pod that is made of a pump plate; a valve plate affixed to the pump plate, and a diaphragm mounted between the pump plate and the valve plate. The pump plate has juxtaposed pressure cavity and outlet cavity, and a partition separating the pressure cavity from the outlet cavity. The pressure cavity communicates with a source of water under pressure and the outlet cavity communicates with an outlet port for projecting a jet of water under pressure outside the pump plate. The valve plate has a control chamber facing the juxtaposed pressure and outlet cavities.
- The diaphragm is mounted between the juxtaposed pressure and outlet cavities and the control chamber for movement between a first position and a second position upon a change in pressure in the control chamber. The first position blocking the juxtaposed pressure and outlet cavities, and the second position opening the juxtaposed pressure and outlet cavities for allowing a flow of water under pressure under the partition from the pressure cavity to the outlet cavity and to the outlet port.
- A control valve is mounted in the valve plate for changing a pressure in the control chamber. The control valve has a connection to the pressure cavity; to the control chamber and to ambient water pressure. The control valve is selectively operable between a first condition for connecting the pressure cavity to the control chamber for pushing the diaphragm against the pressure and outlet cavities, and a second condition for connecting the control chamber to ambient water pressure for allowing the diaphragm to relax, for allowing a flow of water under pressure between the pressure cavity and the outlet cavity.
- In another aspect of the present invention, the control valve has a cylindrical cavity; a first magnet mounted in a fixed manner in this cylindrical cavity and a second magnet movably mounted in the cylindrical cavity. The second magnet is movable between a first location in a proximity of the first magnet and a second location away from the first magnet. The first and second magnets are mounted to attract each other.
- The control valve has a passage there through to the aforesaid control chamber between the first and second magnets. The passage is selectively openable to the source of water under pressure when the second magnet is in the first location, and closed to the source of water under pressure and open to ambient water pressure when the second magnet is in the second location, connecting the control chamber to ambient water pressure.
- The control valve also has a solenoid that is operable for selectively moving the second magnet between the first and second locations.
- In another aspect of the present invention, a combination of a pressure cavity, an outlet cavity, a control chamber, a control valve and a segment of the diaphragm constitutes one diaphragm valve. The thruster pod has a plurality of diaphragm valves therein that are selectively operable to operate corresponding outlet ports.
- In yet another aspect of the present invention, the pump plate is circular and has four diaphragm valves and outlet ports oriented radially there about.
- In yet a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a diaphragm support plate between the diaphragm and the pump plate to protect the diaphragm from excessive pump pressure.
- In yet another aspect of the present invention, the source of water under pressure is obtained by a pump impeller mounted in the pump plate.
- This brief summary has been provided so that the nature of the invention may be understood quickly. A more complete understanding of the invention can be obtained by reference to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment thereof in connection with the attached drawings.
- The drawings illustrate two preferred embodiments of underwater thruster pods. More specifically;
-
FIG. 1 illustrates a torpedo having the thruster pod according to the first preferred embodiment mounted on the front end thereof; -
FIG. 2 illustrates another torpedo wherein the flow from one outlet nozzle in used as a source of fluid under pressure to operate a linear actuator; -
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the pump and pump plate in the first preferred thruster pod; -
FIG. 4 is a plan view of the diaphragm support plate that is preferably mounted in the first preferred thruster pod; -
FIG. 5 is a plan view of the diaphragm mounted in the first preferred thruster pod; -
FIG. 6 is a plan view of the valve plate mounted in the first preferred thruster pod; -
FIG. 7 is a partial enlarged plan view of the pump and pump plate illustrated inFIG. 3 ; -
FIG. 8 is a partial enlarged plan view of the valve plate illustrated inFIG. 6 ; -
FIG. 9 is a cross-section view of the pump and pump plate as viewed substantially along lines 9-9 inFIGS. 7 and 8 , showing one of the diaphragm valves in a closed mode; -
FIG. 10 is another cross-section view of the pump and pump plate as viewed substantially along lines 9-9 inFIGS. 7 and 8 , showing one of the diaphragm valves in an open mode; -
FIG. 11 is a plan view of the pump and pump plate in the second preferred thruster pod; -
FIG. 12 is a plan view of the diaphragm support plate that is preferably mounted in the second preferred thruster pod; -
FIG. 13 is a plan view of the diaphragm mounted in the second preferred thruster pod; -
FIG. 14 is a plan view of the valve plate mounted in the second preferred thruster pod; -
FIG. 15 is a partial enlarged plan view of the pump and pump plate illustrated inFIG. 11 ; -
FIG. 16 is a partial enlarged plan view of the valve plate illustrated inFIG. 14 ; -
FIG. 17 is a cross-section view of the pump and pump plate as viewed substantially along lines 17-17 inFIGS. 15 and 16 , showing one of the diaphragm valves in a closed mode; -
FIG. 18 is another cross-section view of the pump and pump plate as viewed substantially along lines 17-17 inFIGS. 15 and 16 , showing one of the diaphragm valves in an open mode. - While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will be described in details herein two specific embodiments of the present invention, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an example of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiments illustrated and described.
- In the drawings, the same numerals are used to illustrate and described the same elements in both embodiments where the description permits.
- Referring firstly to
FIG. 1 , there is illustrated atorpedo 20 having thethruster pod 22 according to the first preferred embodiment mounted in its front end, and anose cone 24 directing water to an impeller mounted inside thethruster pod 22. Thethruster pod 22 may be operated in a wireless manner such that it can be used in remotely operated vehicles (ROV) of many types. This wireless system may comprise anantenna 26, which is illustrated for convenience. It will be appreciated that anantenna 26 may be used for surface application, and can be replaced by a tether line (not shown) when thethruster pod 22 is used in underwater vehicles. - The impeller (not shown) is operated by an
electric motor 30 mounted in the front end of the torpedo. Theelectric motor 30 is illustrated in dashed lines for convenience inFIG. 1 . - The
thruster pod 22 hasseveral jet ports 32 around its circumference. Some of thesejet ports 32 havenozzles 34 that are curved and oriented backward for propelling the torpedo in the forward direction. Theother jet ports 32 are oriented radially and can be used intermittently for steering the water craft. - Referring now to
FIG. 2 , it will be appreciated that one ormore jet ports 32 can be used as a source of hydraulic pressure connected by piping 36 to hydraulic equipment or tooling. Such feature is explained in the illustration of astabilizer fin 38 that is operated by anhydraulic cylinder 40. - The first
preferred thruster pod 22 and its operation are illustrated inFIGS. 3-10 . Broadly, thethruster pod 22 is made of apump impeller 50 mounted at the centre of apump plate 52; adiaphragm 54 and avalve plate 56. Preferably, adiaphragm support plate 58 is also included between thepump plate 52 and thediaphragm 54 for preventing wear, fatigue and damage to thediaphragm 54 from pump pressure. - The first
preferred thruster pod 22 has eight (8)outlet ports 60, jet nozzles or jet ports. Each nozzle is connected to anoutlet cavity 62 in thepump plate 52. Eachoutlet cavity 62 is bordering apressure cavity 64, and it is separated from thatpressure cavity 64 by apartition 66. Thepressure cavity 64 communicates with theimpeller housing 68 or a volute in which theimpeller 50 rotates. - It will be appreciated that when the
impeller 50 rotates, a pressure is created inside thepump housing 68 and in all the pressure cavities 64. - Referring now to
FIG. 4 , thediaphragm support plate 58, has side-by-side pressure opening 70 and outlet opening 72 pairs for each pressure and outlet cavity pair in thepump plate 52. Thepressure opening 70 is fully open, while theoutlet opening 72 has grate-like openings for preventing damage to thediaphragm 54 from pump pressure. - The
pump plate 52, thediaphragm support plate 58 and thevalve plate 56 can be made of metal or plastic material in a casting or a CNC machining process. - The
diaphragm 54 is made of thin, strong, flexible and impermeable diaphragm material. Ahole 74 at the centre of thediaphragm 54 lets pressure from thepump housing 68 be transmitted to thevalve plate 56, for the purpose of transmitting control pressure to thevalve plate 56. - The valve plate as a
central cavity 80 communicating with thehole 74 at the centre of thediaphragm 54 and with thepump housing 68. Eightradial slots 82 join thecentral cavity 80 to eightcontrol valves 84 respectively. Eachcontrol valve 84 is connected byconduits 86 to arespective control chamber 88. It will be appreciated that thevalve plate 56 has aradial slot 82; acontrol valve 84;conduits 86 and acontrol chamber 88 for each pressure andoutlet cavity pair pump plate 52, and for each diaphragm valve in thethruster pod 22. - In use, the
pump plate 52; thediaphragm support plate 58, thediaphragm 54 and thevalve plate 56 are stacked over each other in the order in which they are illustrated, and fastened to each other in any suitable way. The views illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 6 are the faces of eachplate - Although a
pump impeller 50 has been illustrated inFIG. 3 , it will be appreciated that all that is required in thepump plate 52 is a source of water under pressure. Therefore, a pump may be located somewhere else than illustrated and connected to thepump housing 68 by piping for example. - Referring now more specifically to
FIGS. 7 to 10 , the operation of the firstpreferred thruster pod 22 will be explained. - Firstly, each
control valve 84 contains a fixedmagnet 90 that is mounted stationary to the top portion of acylindrical cavity 92 as seen inFIGS. 9 and 10 . Asecond magnet 94, referred to as a movable magnet is movably mounted in thecylindrical cavity 92 under the fixedmagnet 90. Theslot 82 communicates with thecylindrical cavity 92 in a region immediately under the fixedmagnet 90, when bothmagnets FIG. 9 . When bothmagnets pump housing 68 is transmitted through theslot 82; into thecylindrical cavity 92 and into thecontrol chamber 88 via theconduit 86. - A
drain hole 96 in the bottom of thecylindrical cavity 92 allows ambient pressure to enter thevalve cavity 92, and into thecontrol chamber 88 via theconduit 86 as it may be understood when looking atFIG. 10 . - The
magnets magnets FIG. 10 , such that themovable magnet 94 closes the passage from theslot 82 to thecontrol chamber 88. The pressure in thecontrol chamber 88 is thereby reduced to the ambient water pressure Wp through thedrain hole 96. The pump pressure Pp in thepressure cavity 64 forces thediaphragm 54 downward to create a passage under thepartition 66 and to open thepressure cavity 64 to theoutlet cavity 62 and to acorresponding outlet port 60. A flow of water under pressure is thereby obtained at theoutlet port 60. - When the
movable magnet 94 is separated from the fixedmagnet 90, by force of asolenoid 98 for example, thecontrol chamber 88 is pressurized to pump pressure Pp from thepressure cavity 64 through theslot 82. As a result, thediaphragm 54 is pushed upward to block theopenings corresponding outlet port 60. - It will be appreciated that the pump pressure Pp always included ambient water pressure Wp when the
thruster pod 22 is used underwater. Therefore, the diaphragm valves are operated on a differential pressure which remains the same whether thethruster pod 22 is operated in surface water or in deep water. External pressure does not affect the operation of thethruster pod 22. - It will also be appreciated that the
movable magnet 94 can be displaced without touching it such that sealing of an actuator from deep sea pressure is not required. The positioning of themovable magnet 94 may be effected by asolenoid 98 as shown, or by a stronger magnet (not shown) that is moved in and out of a proximity of thecontrol valve 84 by a servo motor for example. - Referring now to
FIGS. 11-18 , thethruster pod 122 according to the second preferred embodiment will be described. The elements in this second embodiment that have same functions as their equivalents in the first embodiment are labelled with numbers differing from their equivalent elements by 100, to facilitate the understanding of the principle of the invention. - The second
preferred thruster pod 122 and its operation are illustrated inFIGS. 11-18 . Thethruster pod 122 in the second preferred embodiment is made of apump impeller 150 mounted at the centre of apump plate 152; adiaphragm 154 and avalve plate 156. Adiaphragm support plate 158 is also preferably included between thepump plate 152 and thediaphragm 154, for preventing wear, fatigue and damage to thediaphragm 154 from pump pressure. - The second
preferred thruster pod 122 has four (4)outlet ports 160 or jet nozzles. Eachnozzle 160 is connected to anoutlet cavity 162. Eachoutlet cavity 162 is bordering apressure cavity 164, and it is separated from thatpressure cavity 164 by apartition 166. Thepressure cavity 164 communicates with theimpeller housing 168 or a volute in which theimpeller 150 rotates. - It will be appreciated that when the
impeller 150 rotates, a pressure is created inside thepump volute 168 and in all the pressure cavities 164. - Referring now to
FIG. 12 , thediaphragm support plate 158, has side-by-side pressure opening 170 and outlet opening 172 pairs corresponding to the location of each pressure andoutlet cavity pair pump plate 152. Thepressure opening 170 is fully open while theoutlet opening 172 has a grate-like openings for preventing damage to thediaphragm 154 from pump pressure. - The
pump plate 152, thediaphragm support plate 158 and thevalve plate 156 are made in a same way as explained in the thruster of the first preferred embodiment. - The
diaphragm 154 is made of thin, strong, flexible and impermeable diaphragm material. Ahole 174 at the centre of thediaphragm 154 lets pressure from thepump housing 168 be transmitted to thevalve plate 156, for the purpose of transmitting control pressure to thevalve plate 156. - The valve plate as a
central cavity 180 communicating with thehole 174 at the centre of thediaphragm 154 and with thepump housing 168. Fourradial slots 182 join thecentral cavity 180 to fourcontrol valves 200 respectively. Eachcontrol valve 200 is connected by aconduit 186 to a respectivepressure control chamber 188. It will be appreciated that thevalve plate 156 has aradial slot 182; avalve 200;conduits 186 and apressure control chamber 188 for each pressure andoutlet pair pump plate 152 and for each diaphragm valve in thethruster pod 122. - In use, the
pump plate 152; thediaphragm support plate 158, thediaphragm 154 and thevalve plate 156 are stacked over each other in the order in which they are illustrated, and fastened to each other in any suitable way. The views illustrated inFIGS. 11 and 14 are the faces of eachplate - Referring now more specifically to
FIGS. 15 to 18 , the operation of the secondpreferred thruster pod 122 will be explained. - Firstly, each
control valve 200 contains a fixedmagnet 210 that is mounted in a stationary manner to the top portion of acylindrical cavity 212, as seen inFIGS. 17 and 18 . Asecond magnet 214, referred to as a movable magnet, is movably mounted in thecylindrical cavity 212 under the fixedmagnet 210. Theslot 182 communicates with thecylindrical cavity 212 in a region immediately under the fixedmagnet 210, and with thepressure control chamber 188, through theslot 186 as may be appreciated from the illustrations inFIGS. 17 , and 18. - When both
magnets pump housing 168 is transmitted from thecylindrical cavity 212 to thecontrol chamber 188 via theconduit 186. - A calibrated
orifice 220 between the fixed and themovable magnets drain channel 222 when themovable magnet 214 is moved away from the fixedmagnet 210. When the movable magnet is pulled away from the fixedmagnet 210, by the force of asolenoid 198 for example, the pump pressure in theconduit 182 is released to thisdrain channel 222, thereby reducing the pressure inside thecontrol chamber 188. - As a result of this pressure reduction in the
control chamber 188, thediaphragm 154 is forced to open to allow a flow F under thepartition 166 from thepressure cavity 164 to theoutlet cavity 162 and theoutlet port 160 as indicated inFIG. 18 . - It will be appreciated that the
orifice 220 is calibrated to release only sufficient pressure to allow the operation of thecontrol valve 200, without adversely affecting the operation or the performance of other diaphragm valves in thethruster pod 122. - When the
solenoid 198 is de-energized, themovable magnet 214 is attracted to the fixedmagnet 210 thereby closing thedrain hole 220 and re-establishing a pump pressure Pp in thecontrol chamber 188. - The
control valve 200 also works on a differential pressure between the pump pressure Pp and the ambient or water pressure Wp. It will be appreciated that this pressure differential remains the same whether thethruster pod 122 is operated in surface water or in deep water. External pressure does not affect the operation of thethruster pod 122. - As to other manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description and accompanying drawings.
Claims (3)
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
CA2,723,538 | 2010-09-30 | ||
CA2723538 | 2010-09-30 | ||
CA2723538 | 2010-09-30 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20120083174A1 true US20120083174A1 (en) | 2012-04-05 |
US8696393B2 US8696393B2 (en) | 2014-04-15 |
Family
ID=45890211
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US13/200,716 Expired - Fee Related US8696393B2 (en) | 2010-09-30 | 2011-09-29 | Water jet based underwater thruster |
Country Status (2)
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US (1) | US8696393B2 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2753711A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN107554736A (en) * | 2017-09-13 | 2018-01-09 | 北京航空航天大学 | A kind of bionical flight cuttlefish empty ROV over strait of achievable software structure changes |
Families Citing this family (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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CN106516053B (en) * | 2016-11-18 | 2018-10-19 | 宁波市镇海丹发机械科技有限公司 | A kind of plug-in storehouse of midget submarine |
US11299249B2 (en) * | 2017-10-19 | 2022-04-12 | Daniel Wibbing | Propulsion system for highly maneuverable airship |
CN109367740A (en) * | 2018-09-14 | 2019-02-22 | 王文达 | A kind of submarine hull and its method of diving under water |
CN109319078A (en) * | 2018-09-25 | 2019-02-12 | 上海交通大学 | From driving fluid thrust aircraft |
CN114655403B (en) * | 2022-04-12 | 2023-02-10 | 周枫 | Propulsion system and aircraft |
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2011
- 2011-09-29 US US13/200,716 patent/US8696393B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2011-09-29 CA CA2753711A patent/CA2753711A1/en not_active Abandoned
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US2964286A (en) * | 1957-08-23 | 1960-12-13 | I V Pressure Controllers Ltd | Solenoid-operated valve mechanism |
US3675611A (en) * | 1970-02-27 | 1972-07-11 | John P Glass | Jet steering boat |
WO1992000221A1 (en) * | 1990-07-02 | 1992-01-09 | Pierre Ciraud | Hydraulic pulse jet apparatus |
US5267883A (en) * | 1991-12-18 | 1993-12-07 | Gudmundsen Richard A | Internal water-jet boat propulsion system |
US8172197B2 (en) * | 2006-07-06 | 2012-05-08 | Mks Instruments, Inc. | Fast-acting pneumatic diaphragm valve |
US8500087B2 (en) * | 2010-11-16 | 2013-08-06 | Chi-Han Cheng | Magnetic control valve |
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CN107554736A (en) * | 2017-09-13 | 2018-01-09 | 北京航空航天大学 | A kind of bionical flight cuttlefish empty ROV over strait of achievable software structure changes |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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CA2753711A1 (en) | 2012-03-30 |
US8696393B2 (en) | 2014-04-15 |
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